The Guardian

‘We cannot magic up more water’: the supply problems putting housing targets in England at risk

Council leaders say crumbling infrastructure and lack of water are jeopardising government’s plans for new homesThe government’s housebuilding agenda is hitting the stark reality of a lack of water and crumbling infrastructure across the east and south-east of England.Half the country was declared to be in serious drought this week, for the second consecutive year, with the Environment Agency warning of dire consequences for the economy, environment and wildlife. Continue reading...

general  Aug 2, 2026

The Guardian

UK’s state investments agency hit by data breach

Security lapse leaves sensitive information and contact details of 51 government officials exposed for 40 hoursThe public body in charge of the UK’s state investments has been pushed to improve its internal security after a data breach left “high-level management information” publicly accessible for nearly two days.UK Government Investments (UKGI), the agency that manages the taxpayers’ interest in a swathe of companies including Channel 4 and the Post Office, said the security failure also left

general  Aug 2, 2026

The Guardian

EVs and hybrids approach half of Australian new car sales amid ongoing fuel crisis

Australians bought EVs and hybrids at nearly same rate as petrol cars between April and June, Australian Automobile Association data showsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralians are now buying electric and hybrid vehicles at the same rate as traditional petrol-powered cars, according to new data that shows EV sales doubled in the months after the peak of the fuel price spike.Fuel prices are again on track to top $2 a litre, after the federal government’s fuel excis

general  Aug 2, 2026

The Guardian

Undercover police unit closed down over unjustified surveillance, spycops inquiry told

Senior officer behind closure says SDS caused ‘incalculable harm’ by infiltrating groups that posed no threatAn undercover police unit that spied on tens of thousands of political activists had to be shut down amid severe criticisms and recriminations, the spycops public inquiry has heard.Jon Boutcher, a senior police officer who took over responsibility for the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) unit, concluded within months that it had to be wound up because it was conducting unjustified survei

general  Aug 2, 2026

The Guardian

‘This is where democracy beats totalitarianism’: Ukraine’s drone strike force takes the fight to Russia

Exclusive: At a launch site in the Ukrainian countryside, members of the elite ‘Magyar’s Birds’ brigade are turning Russia’s vast size into a weaknessSparrows were cheeping as the sun set over a field of tall yellow sunflowers when a moped-like growl suddenly disturbed the evening calm. The noise rose, dipped, and rose again. Lt Col Ray – a Ukrainian commander with the 414th aviation brigade – took cover in a leafy ditch.Seconds later a Ukrainian drone roared into a mauve sky. It jerked upwards

general  Aug 2, 2026

The Guardian

Trump climbs down on Iran strikes after Saudi alarm and threats from Tehran

President claims delay is ‘subject to being able to rapidly make a deal’ as intervention by Saudi crown prince is revealed and Iran warns neighboursDonald Trump said on Saturday night that the US would hold off on any new strikes on Iran provided a deal to end the months-long conflict is quickly reached – marking the president’s latest climbdown from extravagant threats to hit the Tehran regime hard.The Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman called Trump on Saturday to express concerns about his

general  Aug 2, 2026

NY Times World

Trump Says He Is Canceling Strikes on Iran, Pending a Rapid Deal

President Trump said he agreed to requests from Iran and other Middle Eastern countries to cancel planned attacks, citing what he said was progress in reaching “the perimeters of a deal” with Tehran.

general  Aug 2, 2026

NY Times World

How China Keeps Tabs on Foreigners

An unsecured police dashboard was a rare window into how the authorities track foreigners by collecting and aggregating vast amounts of private data.

general  Aug 2, 2026

NY Times World

After Most Migrants Leave Ceuta, Exhausted Holdouts Find Shelter on Beach

Most of the people who surged into Spain on Thursday have since returned to Morocco. A small minority are holed up on a seafront, tired, hungry and vowing to stay.

general  Aug 2, 2026

NY Times World

Europe’s Far Right, Once Marginal, Now Sets Tone on Spain Migrant Crisis

Europe sheltered many refugees in 2015. Its hard-line reaction to a new crisis in Ceuta shows how, 11 years on, the far right has reshaped European attitudes.

general  Aug 2, 2026

NY Times World

Australia’s Indie Music Venues Closing as Costs Rise and Attendance Drops

When Mary’s Underground in Sydney closed, it was a familiar tune for a scene hit by high costs and low attendance. Critics worry about a shrinking space for new talent.

general  Aug 2, 2026

The Guardian

Anti-LGBTQ+ laws are on the rise across west Africa, campaigners warn

Activists in the region say politicians regard LGBTQ+ people as ‘the easiest scapegoats to maintain their power’A growing number of west African countries are implementing or strengthening anti-LGBTQ+ laws, amid local political pressures and a global pushback against LGBTQ+ rights.In March, Senegal doubled the maximum prison sentence for gay sex to 10 years and criminalised the “promotion” of homosexuality. Niger criminalised “sexual relations with a person of the same sex” in February, the firs

general  Aug 2, 2026

WSJ World News

Trump Calls Off Planned Attack on Iran, Citing Diplomatic Progress

The region had been preparing for another escalation after Washington and Tehran made new threats.

general  Aug 2, 2026

BBC World

Trump says he is cancelling strikes on Iran subject to 'rapidly' making deal

The US president's message came amid media reports that he was planning new, intense strikes on Iran over the weekend.

general  Aug 2, 2026

The Guardian

Shooting at In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Idaho leaves multiple people dead, police say

Police chief says the shooter is among the dead in ‘very chaotic scene’ near busy shopping area in Twin FallsA shooting at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in southern Idaho on Saturday afternoon left multiple people dead and others injured, police said.The shooter was among the dead, Twin Falls police chief Matthew Hicks said in a news conference. Police were still trying to determine the shooter’s identity and motive. Continue reading...

general  Aug 2, 2026

BBC World

How Spain's migrant crisis created a political storm - whipped up by social media

The Ceuta crossings have shaken Europe politically, exposing divisions over the sensitive issue of migration, the BBC's Sarah Rainsford writes.

general  Aug 2, 2026

NY Times World

Tourist Plane Crashes in Peru, Killing All 13 Aboard

The flight had taken off from the coastal city of Pisco to view the ancient geoglyphs in the desert, a popular tourist attraction.

general  Aug 2, 2026

The Guardian

Moscow restaurant bombing kills three people as device carried by woman explodes

More than 20 people injured in explosion near Italian restaurant on Saturday night, authorities sayA homemade bomb carried by a woman killed three people and injured at least 21 in ⁠an explosion near a restaurant in central Moscow on Saturday evening, authorities said.The explosion occurred just before 8pm close to an Italian restaurant located in one of Moscow’s seven Stalin-era skyscrapers at Kudrinskaya ​Square, the police said. Continue reading...

general  Aug 2, 2026

The Guardian

Capital One says it closed Trump Organization’s accounts after anti-money-laundering review

Disclosure from 2021 investigation marks first time a bank has formally tied money-laundering concerns to Donald TrumpCapital One Financial hit back on Friday against a lawsuit over its ⁠decision to close the Trump ⁠Organization’s bank accounts ​years ago, stating that it did so after a review by anti-money-laundering experts.The disclosure marks the first time a bank has formally tied money-laundering concerns to Donald Trump’s family business. Capital One is seeking to dismiss the case by cast

general  Aug 2, 2026

BBC World

Solitude as a new aspirational lifestyle: 'We are not lonely'

A growing number of what the internet has dubbed "loneliness influencers" are spotlighting solo living without children or friends - and it's spurring debate.

general  Aug 1, 2026